Beat Diet Downfalls

Courtesy of Prevention.com

Take Out Queen

When it comes to having take out, it's what you do with the meal that makes a difference. If you're eating only pizza, it's easy to gobble down three or four slices. But round out your meal with a quick homemade salad, and you'll eat less.

For Chinese food, simply transfer it from the paper container to a plate, leaving extra sauce (and calories) behind. And rather than filling your plate with too much of one thing, you're better off getting four 1/2-cup portions of everything you want at a place such as Boston Market, even if that includes a fattening dish such as stuffing. That way, you'll get a more appetizing variety of colors, nutrients, and calories.

Weight loss advantage: Once you're out of the restaurant, there's no going back for seconds.

Menu Whether they're from your local doughnut shop, deli, or pizza place, convenience foods can also be slimming ones.

Breakfast 1 toasted 4-oz bagel spread with 2 Tbsp cream cheese 1 orange

The honey-raisin bran muffin may seem healthier, but chances are it contains no more fiber and is heavier on calories.

Lunch 2 cups mixed greens topped with 1/2 cup three-bean salad and 1/2 cup German potato salad 3 flatbread crackers

Beans and greens are a great way to get the fiber you missed at breakfast.

Dinner 2 slices cheese pizza 2 cups lettuce with 1/2 cup beans

For fewer calories, order Sicilian. You're more likely to eat fewer slices of this extra thick pizza.

Snack 8 oz low-fat lemon yogurt 1 pear

Total: 1,728 calories; 45 g fat

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